Sean O’Malley sees loads of choices for Merab Dvalishvili, together with one he thinks the UFC bantamweight champion is actively avoiding.
Dvalishvili defeated O’Malley at UFC 306 this previous September to assert the title, and it appeared his first challenger can be the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov – presently No. 2 at 135 kilos within the MMA Combating International Rankings – who was in attendance for the battle. Nonetheless, Dvalishvili has been reluctant to call Nurmagomedov as his most well-liked challenger, going so far as to say Nurmagomedov was “scared” when it was rumored that Nurmagomedov had booked a battle with Music Yadong as an alternative (that matchup ultimately fizzled).
On his TimboSugarShow podcast, O’Malley accuses Dvalishvili of being the one that’s scared.
“Umar desires to battle Merab in January,” O’Malley stated. “Petr [Yan] desires to battle Merab in March. I wish to battle Merab in April. Merab is completely shitting himself fearful of Umar. He doesn’t wish to battle Umar. Now he’s saying he desires to battle Petr, he wished to battle me.
“Petr received 50-45’d by Merab. 50-45.”
O’Malley point out of Petr Yan comes off of Yan’s good efficiency in opposition to Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau this previous Saturday. Like O’Malley, Yan is a former bantamweight champion, and like O’Malley he misplaced a unanimous choice to Dvalishvili once they first fought in March 2023.
Dvalishvili praised Yan following the Figueiredo win, suggesting they’ve a rematch at UFC 313 in March.
Dvalishvili had additionally beforehand talked about desirous to battle O’Malley once more, although that matchup is essentially the most distant chance for the champion proper now with O’Malley presently recovering from hip surgical procedure.
O’Malley is raring to return, however is but to renew full coaching.
“I can’t wrestle but,” O’Malley stated. “I can transfer round, I can hit mitts slightly bit, f*cking shadow field, field spar slightly bit, can not grapple in any respect but. Most likely about three weeks out from with the ability to begin drilling. Acquired to f*cking handle this nut. Hitting mitts, transferring round, it’s no concern. It’s the grappling and shit that hurts.”
